Applications is open for Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program 2025 – $5,000 Seed Grant, Training, and Mentorship for African Entrepreneurs
By 2025, 10,000 African entrepreneurs will have been identified, trained, mentored, and funded under the 10-year, US$100 million program, which is administered by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).
The successful applicants will get US$5,000 in seed money to validate the idea, access to a top-notch mentor, 12 weeks of rigorous online training, and future financing opportunities. Additionally, they will have access to the TEF startup network.
The Elumelu family has committed $100 million to the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program, which will provide money, mentorship, and training to 10,000 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period.
The objective is to generate over $10 billion in income and at least 1 million jobs for the African economy.
The Foundation empowers African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in 54 African nations through its flagship entrepreneurial Program.
How the Program works
The TEF training program is structured to divide entrepreneurs into groups according to their proven skills and expertise.
The course is designed to help you overcome the obstacles faced by company owners throughout the African continent by educating and equipping you to launch or expand your enterprise.
The curriculum focuses on practical, iterative learning that is useful even long after the training period.
- Who can apply?
The program is open to all citizens and legal residents of any one of the 54 African countries. The proposed business must be registered and operate in Africa. - Is there an age restriction for applicants?
Yes. Applicants must be 18 years old and must not be considered a minors in their country of residence. There is no upper-limit age restriction. - Is there a restriction on the age of my business?
Yes. All businesses must be business ideas or early-stage company in the range of 0 to 5 years old. - What if I run multiple early-stage businesses?
Your application must focus on ONE business only. We advise choosing your best, most feasible/innovative business idea. Selected entrepreneurs are not permitted to apply for future cohorts of the program, even with a different business idea or name. - Will my start-up be excluded if I have a relation/family member who works for the TEF?
Yes. Current employees or their family members from the Tony Elumelu Foundation and affiliate companies in the Heirs Holdings Group and UBA Group are not eligible to apply for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, either individually or as part of a team.
Eligibility
- TEF Audit Partners and their Immediate Family Members.
- Employees of companies affiliated with the Tony Elumelu Foundation who have been involved in the creation or administration of the Programme and their Immediate Family Members.
- The Promoter’s consultants and agents (and employees and Immediate Family Members of such employees where the consultants and agents are entities) are involved in the creation and administration of this program.
- Research institutions, faith-based organizations, government agencies and businesses not located in Mali will not be eligible to apply for the program.
- Applications by TEF Alumni or their Business Partner.
- Applications by persons disqualified under any previous TEF program.
- Applications are made using methods such as a macro, script, automated devices or processors, or other forms of digital tool to gain an unfair advantage.
- Incomplete and incorrect applications.
- Applications that contain illegal or unethical Businesses or Business Ideas.
Application Process
- How do I apply for the program?
All applications must be submitted ONLINE through the application platform of the tefconnect.net You must complete an application form by answering a series of mandatory questions. - After submission, you will receive a confirmation email of receipt.
- What if my company is a partnership?
Only one nominated person from the business or the partnership may join the program. You must have consent from all partners, and have and equal or majority share to participate. - Can I apply offline?
No. All applications must be submitted online through the tefconnect.net only. - What if English is not my first language?
The application form is also available in Arabic, French and Portuguese. - What information/identification do I need to provide in my application?
You must answer all the mandatory questions in the application form, and provide accurate and up-to-date information. - Are there application/associated fees?
No. The Tony Elumelu Foundation does not charge any applicants a fee for applying to the program.
Click HERE to Apply
